Peanut Butter Dream Bars

Ingredients

½ cup thin chocolate wafers, finely ground in a food processor*
½ cup old fashioned oats

1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
1 ½ ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

*You can also place them in a ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin—great way to vent stress :o)

Steps:

1.) Line 9x4 loaf pan with wax paper or parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang along the long sides

2.) Combine wafers, oats, sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the butter until everything is moistened. Stir in 1 tablespoon peanut butter until mixture forms large clumps. Transfer mixture to lined loaf pan and press into an even layer.  Refrigerate until firm (about 10 mins)

3.) While step 2 is in the refrigerator, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium until smooth and fluffy (about 2 mins). Add vanilla, remaining 3 tablespoons peanut butter and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and beat on medium until pale and nearly doubled in volume (about 7 mins). Transfer to loaf pan and spread in an even layer. Freeze until firm (about 10mins)

4.) After step 3 is completely frozen, melt chocolate chips and spread over peanut butter layer as evenly as possible. Refrigerate until firm (about 10mins).

To serve:

 Lift bars out of pan with wax paper overhang. Cut crosswise and enjoy :o)